Hinger



Dec. 27, 1938. J O BRENNAN 2,141,685

HINGE Filed Nov 20, 19s? INVENTOR. Jr; 0. fire/mar? M wa ATTORNEY.

Patented Dec. 27, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFicE 3 Claims.

This invention relates to hinges and the object of the invention is to provide a hinge for supporting a shelf, such as, the writing leaf of a desk or other shelf member, to be turned outwardly and supported in the out-turned position.

.Another object of the invention is to provide a hinge and link in which the link is connected to the hinge plates on opposite sides of thehinge pivot and so arranged that as the shelf is opened the link engages on the hinge to support the shelf firmly in the out-turned position.

Another object of the invention is to provide a link so arranged as to move out of locking engagement with the hinge plate as the shelf is turned inwardly, said link remaining in position to lockingly engage the hinge plate upon sub sequent outward movement of the shelf.

A further object of the invention is to provide a pair of binge plates pivotally connected together and provided with upwardly extending lugs on one of which a link is pivotally mounted and the link being provided with-a hook at the end opposite its pivot arranged to engage over a pin on the other lug as the hinge is out-turned, the link upon engaging the pin also engaging against the hinge to firmly hold the hinge plates from further outward turning movement.

These objects and the several novel features of the invention are hereinafter more fully described and claimed and. the preferred form of construction by which these objects are attained is shown in the accompanying drawing in which Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the hinge in the folded position.

Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the hinge in the open position.

Fig. 3 is a view showing the hinge intermediate the folded and open positions.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged section taken on line 4-5 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a perspective View of the hinge locked in the open position.

As will be understood more particularly from Fig. 5 the hinge comprises a pair of hinge plates I and 2 having companion hinge portions 3 and 4 fitting about a hinge pintle 5. The hinge plates are provided with screw apertures 6 and the hinge plate I is provided with an upwardly extending lug on which a link 8 is pivotally mounted on the pivot 9. This link 8 is provided with a curved lower edge [9 and at the end opposite its pivot is provided with a hook H. The hinge plate 2 is provided with an upwardly extending lug l2 higher than the lug I and having a pin l4 secured therein and this pin is provided with a head l5 as shown so that the curved edge I9 of the link 8 may ride on the pin l4 between the lug l2 and the head 15. As the shelf i6 is turned outwardly to the dotted position shown in Fig. 2 the hook end ll of the link 8 engages beneath the pin l4 and, at the same time, the curved edge IQ of the link engages the portion 3 of the hinge.

The link 8 at this time acts as a lever which is secured at the points 9 and I4 and firmly engages against the portion 3 of the hinge to act as a rigid lock bar to stop further outward turning movement of the shelf l6 and rigidly support the same in the out-turned position. In this position, pressure applied to the outer edge of the shelf it will tend to force the pivot 9 downwardly thus forcing the edge I!) more firmly against the hinge portion 3 and tending to raise the hook end of the link but as this hook end extends around and underneath the pin l4 it cannot be so raised and thus the link is firmly held at three points to rigidly support the leaf or shelf it. As the leaf I6 is turned upwardly, the pivot pin 9 is turned through an arc and during this turning movement the hook end is disengaged from the pin l4 and the curved edge ll) of the link 8 rides on the pin it. Due to the shape of this curved edge l9 the hook end I l is maintained out of contact with the hinge plate 2 and adjacent portions of the desk or other device on which the hinge is used. The action of the link 8 in the closing movement will be understood from Figs. 3 and 1 and as the pivot pin 9 is turned further through an are from Fig. 3 on the hinge pintle 5 the pin 14 turns the link 8 upwardly as illustrated in Fig. 1 so that it is out of the way but, at the same time, the link rides between the head I5 and the lug 12 so that it is always ready for engagement.

As the shelf is opened from the position shown in Fig. 1 to that shown in Fig. 2 the link 8 rides between the head E5 of the pin [4 and the lug [2 until the hook end H engages the pin l4 and the edge it) engages the hinge, at which time, the shelf or leaf is locked in the out-turned position. It will thus be seen that no matter how many times the shelf is opened and closed the link is always in position to engage the pin l4 and prevent turning of the shelf outwardly beyond a line horizontal with the bed 11.

From the foregoing description it becomes evident that the device is very simple and efficient in operation, will not get out of order, will lock the shelf or leaf in the horizontal position and, at the same time, will not interfere with the closing movement of the shelf or leaf and provides a device which accomplishes the objects described.

Having thus fully described my invention, its utility and mode of operation, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A hinge comprising a stationary hinge plate and a turnable hinge plate, the plates being provided with companion hinge portions at the inner edges, a hinge pintle extending through the hinge portions, a lug extending upwardly from the turnable hinge plate, a link pivotally mounted on the lug, a lug extending upwardly from the stationary hinge plate to a greater extent than the lug on the turnable hinge plate, a pin in the upper end of the said lug provided with a head spaced fromthe lug, the lower edge of the link being curved and riding on the pin between the head and the stationary lug, a hook end on the link arranged to engage beneath the pin as the turnable hinge plate is turned outwardly, the arrangement being such that as the hook end engages beneath the pin the curved edge of the link engages the companion hinge portions of the plate and the lower edge of the link being curved so that as the turnable plate is turned inwardly the link is turned on its pivot to a position intermediate the hinge plates.

2. A hinge comprising a stationary hinge plate and a turnable hinge plate, the plates being provided with companion hinge portions at the'inner edges, a hinge pintle extending through the hinge portions, a lug on the turnable hinge plate, a link pivotally mounted on the lug, a lug on the stationary hinge plate, a pin on the said lug provided with a head spaced from the lug, the lower edge of the link being curved and riding on the pin between the head and. the stationary lug, a hook end on the link arranged to engage beneath the pin as the turnable hinge plate is turned outwardly, the arrangement being such that as the hook end engages beneath the pin the curved edge of the link engages the companion hingeportions of the plates and as the turnable plate is turned inwardly the curved edge of the link rides on the pin and maintains the link out of engagement with the stationary plate.

3. A hinge comprising a stationary hinge plate and a'turnable hinge plate pivoted together, a lug on the turnable hinge plate, a link pivotally mounted on the lug, a lug on the stationary hinge plate, said lugs being in fixed relation on the respective plates and positionedon opposite sides of the pivot point, a pin on the said last named lug, the link extending between'the two. lugs and riding on the, pin of the stationary lug as the turnable hinge plate is moved about the pivot axis, a hook end on the link arranged to engage the pin as the movable hinge plate is turned outwardly, the arrangement beingsuch that as the hook end engages the pin the lower edge of the link engages the hinge pivot.

JOHN O. DRENNAN. 

